Few will begrudge him going to the rebel league in India because the $600,000 offer is a godsend for a cricketer whose body cannot cope with the rigours of international cricket.
But he should not entertain any thoughts of playing for the Black Caps between now and the completion of his New Zealand Cricket contract in May.
It was hoped Bond would yesterday confirm he has signed but he maintained his silence on the advice of his agent, Leanne McGoldrick. NZC is in no doubt he has put pen to paper but believes it is up to Bond to confirm as such.
However, NZC boss Justin Vaughan has shown his hand. He has said NZC would pay any legal bills to extricate Bond from his rebel contract and align him with the sanctioned Indian Premier League.
The IPL is home to Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum and Scott Styris, whereas the rebel league is home to faded heroes Chris Cairns, Craig McMillan, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Hamish Marshall and Daryl Tuffey.
Bond's move to the rebels is not a sin but the league runs in direct competition with the International Cricket Council's Twenty20 competition – the IPL.
NZC relies heavily on the ICC for funding and cannot jeopardise that relationship because of one player. By already allowing Harris and Tuffey to play provincial cricket in New Zealand it is testing the ICC's patience.
Bond had an offer of around $450,000 from the sanctioned league (IPL) but he chose the richer deal, according to Vaughan. Fair play to Bond, but he has to accept the consequences.
Vaughan's hope now is that a legal battle does not break out between one of our game's top competitors and the national body.
"He's contracted through to May, for him to play in an unsanctioned tournament he will have to break his contract," Vaughan said.
"You have to look at what you can do. We've got lots of pieces of legal advice about the legal pathways we can take but we would love not to get into open conflict with him."
The ball is in Bond's court.
Source : http://www.stuff.co.nz/
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